Boeing and ThinkYoung launch coding school in Tanzania
What you need to know:
- The four-day coding training programme, provided free of charge, has facilitated direct engagement between students and experts from the technology and aviation sectors
Dar es Salaam. Boeing and ThinkYoung have collaborated to introduce a groundbreaking Coding School initiative dedicated to equipping Tanzanian youth with indispensable digital skills.
The four-day coding training programme, provided free of charge, has facilitated direct engagement between students and experts from the technology and aviation sectors.
Through immersive workshops, participants have gained hands-on experience in a diverse array of digital technologies, spanning programming, robotics, and drone technologies.
The graduation ceremony, held at the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (Costech) offices on Sunday, April 28, marked a significant milestone as approximately 62 youth, aged 12–17 years old, showcased their enhanced projects, which included snake games, website development, and robotics technology.
The managing director for Boeing Africa, Henok Teferra, emphasised the importance of equipping Africa's youth with digital knowledge to drive continent-wide transformation.
managing director for Boeing Africa, Henok Teferra. PHOTO | RAMADHAN ISMAIL
"Through initiatives like the Coding School, we aim to empower youth to become digitally savvy and actively participate in shaping Africa's future," Teferra said.
He further added that, apart from the programme launched for the first time in the country, they have also run the programme in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Nigeria.
On the other hand, Director of ThinkYoung Africa, Delila Kidanu, echoed Teferra's sentiments, highlighting the programme's focus on inspiring young people to pursue careers in STEM fields.
"The Coding School aims to cultivate interest in STEM subjects and equip young Tanzanians with the skills needed for future job opportunities. By providing non-formal education programmes, we can reach a wider audience and ignite a passion for technology and innovation," she shared.
Emmanuel Jeremiah, a software developer involved in teaching coding during the programme, said they taught students programming languages like HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. This would enable them to create websites, blogs, and games.
“These skills are essential for addressing real-world challenges and driving innovation," Jeremiah stated.
Speaking to The Citizen, an alumni of ThinkYoung Coding School, Elizabeth Nelson, expressed her gratitude for the programme and its impact on her and her peers.
“The Coding School has equipped us with valuable skills that we can use to solve problems in our communities. I encourage other young people to seize such opportunities for learning and growth," she shared.
Since 2019, ThinkYoung and Boeing have collaborated to host coding schools across Africa, with a total of 640 students participating in the programme.
Notably, more than 60 percent of participants are girls, breaking stigmas and providing them with role models and early exposure to computer science in a supportive environment.
